SET returning to normal short selling rules on October 1 : The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) announced yesterday it will resume normal rules for short selling prices with a zero plus tick and +/- 30% ceiling and floor limit, effective Oct 1 after market volatility has returned to normal for over a month. Bangkok Post
B19.5bn funding agreed for low-earning graduates : The cabinet yesterday approved 19.46 billion baht in funding for an employment subsidy programme targeting 260,000 new graduates from universities and vocational institutes. The scheme commits the government to paying 50% of the graduates’ salaries, said Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin after yesterday’s cabinet meeting. The programme will last one year, starting next month, he said. Bangkok Post
Two long weekends ‘to boost economy’: Two long-weekend holidays approved by the cabinet yesterday are meant to stimulate tourism, says Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The two holidays were proposed by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. The first is Nov 19-22, with Thursday the 19th and Friday the 20th to be declared special public holidays. Those holidays will coincide with a school break from Nov 13-Dec 1, when families will be able to take trips together, Gen Prayut said. Bangkok Post
SSO defends Sri Panwa investment : Backlash after owner criticises students. A senior Social Security Office (SSO) official on Tuesday defended its investment in Sri Panwa Hospitality Real Estate Investment Trust, saying it is in line with SSO regulations. Bangkok Post
NBTC, OTCC join forces on trade rules : The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) yesterday entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Office of Trade Competition Commission (OTCC) to create guidelines for warding off unfair trade activity in relation to telecom, broadcasting and digital services. Bangkok Post
TCG remains upbeat on SME bad-loan outlook : Despite lingering concerns about the country’s economic prospects, state-owned Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation (TCG) says the non-performing loan (NPL) ratio for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is unlikely to exceed 8-9% of total outstanding loans this year. Bangkok Post
Govt gives dates for local elections : The first local elections, most probably involving provincial administrative organisations (PAOs), will be held in the middle of December, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said yesterday. Bangkok Post
Digital services driving market: Thailand’s digital industry value is expected to climb 1.2% to 655.6 billion baht this year and surge 12.9% in 2021, driven by digital transformation, 5G tech and the adoption of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT), says the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa). Bangkok Post
Charter rewrite vote delay : Students pledge to step up protests. Government MPs joined hands with senators to defer the charter rewrite vote by another month amid criticism that the process is a political game to shoot down all constitution amendment bills, including the one proposed by civil society group iLaw. Bangkok Post
Shorter quarantine if tourist test succeeds : A seven-day quarantine for foreign tourists can be put into effect in November if the first batch of inbound tourists in October is clear of coronavirus infections, says the Tourism and Sports Ministry. Bangkok Post
